Voter Voice

The Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation is the state’s largest general farm organization representing farmers, ranchers and rural residents. We are a private, non-profit, non-governmental agency established in 1922 to bring a voice to agricultural issues. We lobby on the state and national level on behalf of farmers and ranchers. We closely follow Louisiana legislative activities and national affairs, keeping our members up-to-date on bills that impact agriculture.

The 2012 Regular Session of the Louisiana Legislature ended this past Monday, June 6th at 6pm. Farm Bureau kept busy promoting and protecting agriculture and rural Louisiana by passing, killing, and amending legislation.

Working with Commissioner Strain, Farm Bureau helped passed a lot of legislation to clear up laws that had been on the books for decades in some cases. Also, at the Commissioner's direction, we helped protect the Boll Weevil Eradication Fund for potential future use. Our ethics legislation passed allowing grain farmers to serve on the Baton Rouge Port Commission again, and we helped keep the LSU Ag Center's budget as whole as possible amidst the current deficits. As always, thanks to all who participated in our VoterVoice campaigns during the session, and a special thanks to the new participants. We live to fight another year!

Register for Voter Voice to receive legislative updates and calls to action alerts via e-mail. See below a list of bills we followed this sesssion.

HB 109 by Rep. Champagne repeals provisions relative to the production and marketing of livestock; repeals the regulation of use of stallions and jacks. This bill was signed by the Governor and will be effective August 1, 2012.

HB 110 by Rep. Champagne changes the name of a certain animal disease from “Bang’s Disease” to “Brucellosis Disease.” This bill was signed by the Governor and will be effective August 1, 2012.

HB 152 by Rep. Anders provides relative to cotton merchant licenses. This bill was signed by the Governor and will be effective August 1, 2012.

HB 153 by Rep. Anders provides for an organic certification cost-share rebate program. This bill was signed by the Governor and will be effective August 1, 2012.

HB 164 by Rep. Burford expands the duties of livestock brand inspectors. This bill was signed by the Governor and will be effective August 1, 2012.

HB 171 by Rep. Anders provides relative to the regulations on sale of fertilizers. This bill was signed by the Governor and will be effective August 1, 2012.

HB 176 by Rep. Anders clarifies the minimum deficiency assessment and inspection fee for commercial feeds. This bill was signed by the Governor and will be effective August 1, 2012.

HB 177 by Rep. Anders provides for a tonnage fee for agricultural liming materials. This bill was signed by the Governor and will be effective August 1, 2012.

HB 233 by Rep. Burford allows night hunting of nuisance animals year-round on private property. This bill passed the House by a vote of 91 to 6, but was deferred by the Senate Natural Resources Committee effectively killing it.

HB 431 by Rep. Garofalo extends the application period for an oyster seed ground vessel permit. This bill passed the Senate by a vote of 33 to 0 and is now enrolled and will be effective August 1, 2012.

HB 557 by Rep. Hensgens authorizes the taking of certain nuisance animals. This bill passed the Senate by a vote of 36 to 0 and is now enrolled and will be effective August 1, 2012.

HB 610 by Rep. St. Germain provides for two additional members on the Greater Baton Rouge Port Commission nominated by Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation. This bill was considered in the Senate on May 23 and then returned to the calendar where it is subject to call.

HB 623 by Rep. St. Germain requires DOTD to provide notification to landowners about crossing closures. This House concurred on all of the Senate amendments and the bill is now enrolled and will be effective August 1, 2012.

HB 643 by Rep. Montoucet provides relative to the Alligator Resource Fund. This bill passed the Senate by a vote of 34 to 0 and is now enrolled and will be effective August 1, 2012.

HB 656 by Rep. Dove redraws the line for the coastal zone boundary. The House concurred on the Senate amendments by a vote of 90 to 5 and the bill is now enrolled.

HB 668 by Rep. St. Germain provides relative to certifications made by persons applying for a CDL license. The House concurred with the Senate amendments by a vote of 93 to 0 and the bill is now enrolled.

HB 814 by Rep. Hill creates the Forestry Prestige License Plate. This bill was signed by the Governor and will be effective August 1, 2012.

HB 887 by Rep. Johnson imposes a regulatory fee on alternative livestock programs. This bill has been passed by the Senate and enrolled.

HB 1199 by Rep. Jackson repeals provisions relative to the labeling of organic food. This bill has been passed by the Senate and enrolled and it will become effective August 1, 2012.

SB 138 by Sen. Allain provides relative to special permits for vehicles hauling sugarcane. This bill passed the House by a vote of 98 to 0 and is now enrolled.

SB 148 by Sen. Thompson provides relative to change in the Agricultural Commodity Dealer and Warehouse Law and repeals certain provisions related to cooperative marketing agreements. This bill passed the House by a vote of 94 to 0 and is now enrolled and was effective May 14, 2012.

SB 149 by Sen. Thompson provides relative to the registration of agricultural liming materials and provides for technical changes. This bill passed the House and was effective May 14, 2012.

SB 150 by Sen. Thompson provides relative to the membership of certain commissions with the Department of Ag and Forestry. This bill passed the House and was effective May 14, 2012.

SB 151 by Sen. Thompson provides relative to the Pesticide Law and extends pesticide records retention requirements. This bill passed the House and was effective May 14, 2012.

SB 169 by Sen. Allain provides relative to the membership of the Louisiana Strawberry Marketing Board. This bill passed the House and was effective May 14, 2012.

SB 228 by Sen. Morrish provides an exception for certain agricultural materials from the prohibition of outdoor burning. This bill passed the House by a vote of 93 to 1 and is now enrolled.

SB 495 by Sen. Long revises the membership and powers and duties of the Ground Water Resources Commission. The Senate concurred with the House amendments by a vote of 36 to 0 and the bill is now enrolled and will be effective August 1, 2012.

SB 525 by Sen. Allain requires the Commissioner of Conservation to provide thirty days notice to landowners affected by drilling operations. The Senate concurred in House amendments by a vote of 37 to 0 and the bill is now enrolled.

SB 531 by Sen. Peacock provides for forfeiture of and payment to landowners for wildlife killed in the course of trespass on private property. This bill passed the House by a vote of 63 to 27 and is now enrolled and will be effective August 1, 2012.

SB 646 by Sen. Thompson provides for transfer of Boll Weevil Eradication assessments to the Louisiana Ag Finance Authority. The bill has passed the House effective date July 1, 2012.

SB 754 by Sen. Mills provides an exception to the provisions of law relative to ethical standards for public servants. This would allow grain farmers to serve on the Greater Baton Rouge Port Commission. The Senate refused to concur in House amendments and appointed a conference committee with Senators Mills, Amedee, and Tarver. The House also appointed a conference committee with Representatives St. Germain, Burns, and Foil.